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uk Home & property emergencies oven won’t turn off • hob won’t turn off • stove won’t turn off • cooker won’t turn off • oven stuck on • hob stuck on • cooker stuck on • electric oven stuck on • gas hob stuck on • can’t turn cooker off • oven control stuck • hob control knob stuck • oven overheating • kitchen appliance won’t switch off • worried cooker is unsafe • burner won’t go out • range won’t shut off • oven won’t stop heating

What to do if…
your oven or hob will not turn off and you’re worried it may be unsafe

Short answer

Shut off the heat source at the safest upstream point you can reach (cooker isolation switch / consumer unit for electric, gas isolation valve or meter control for gas). If you can smell gas or suspect a leak, treat it as a gas emergency: get everyone out to fresh air and call 0800 111 999.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep fiddling with the controls if they feel stuck, sparking, or unusually hot — step back and isolate the supply.
  • Don’t pour water on anything that’s smoking or burning inside the oven or on the hob.
  • Don’t use light switches, plug sockets, or doorbells if you smell gas (a spark can ignite it).
  • Don’t try to dismantle the cooker, pull it out aggressively, or attempt a DIY repair.
  • Don’t stay inside to “air it out” if you smell gas — leave first.

What to do now

  1. Move people and pets away from the kitchen and clear anything flammable (tea towels, paper towels, packaging, curtains) away from the cooker area.
  2. If there are flames, smoke, or a visible fire:
    • If it’s safe, turn off the heat source (don’t reach through flames or heavy smoke).
    • If it’s an oven fire: keep the door closed.
    • If you feel at risk or it’s spreading, leave the property and call 999.
  3. Work out whether it’s gas or electric (or both):
    • Gas: visible flame and/or you can smell gas.
    • Electric: no flame, but elements stay glowing or hobs stay hot even when “off”.
  4. If you smell gas, or suspect a gas leak:
    • Leave the property immediately and get to fresh air.
    • Do not operate electrical switches (including turning lights on/off) and don’t smoke or use naked flames.
    • If (and only if) it’s quick and safe to do on your way out, turn off the gas at the emergency control valve (at/near the meter). Do not delay leaving to find it.
    • From outside/a safe place, call the National Gas Emergency Service: 0800 111 999 (24/7).
  5. If it’s electric (or you’re not sure, but there’s no gas smell):
    • Turn the cooker off at the cooker control unit / isolator switch (often a wall switch near the cooker).
    • If it still won’t stop heating, and you can reach it safely, go to your consumer unit (fuse box) and switch off the cooker circuit.
    • If you can’t identify the cooker circuit and you believe there’s immediate danger (burning smell/smoke/overheating), switch off the main switch only if it’s safe to do so. Otherwise, leave and call 999.
  6. If it’s gas and a burner won’t go out (even without a strong gas smell):
    • Turn the burner control(s) to OFF.
    • If the flame remains or you can still hear gas, turn off the appliance isolation valve (if there is one and it’s accessible) or the emergency control valve at the meter only if you can do it quickly and safely.
    • If you smell gas at any point, follow Step 4 and call 0800 111 999 from outside.
  7. Once the supply is isolated, keep the cooker “out of use”:
    • Put a visible note on it: “Do not use — unsafe”.
    • Keep the area clear. If there was smoke, ventilate the kitchen after the heat source is off and it’s safe to stay inside.
  8. Get the right professional help (same day if possible):
    • Gas cooker/hob: contact a Gas Safe registered engineer (or your landlord/agent if you rent).
    • Electric cooker/hob: contact a qualified electrician or appliance engineer.
    • If you rent, report it as an urgent repair and tell them you have isolated the supply for safety.

What can wait

  • You do not need to diagnose the fault, order parts, or search for reset sequences while you’re stressed.
  • You do not need to decide today whether to replace the cooker — keep it isolated and arrange inspection/repair.
  • You do not need to clean up or move the appliance right now (especially if it’s hot or hard-wired).

Important reassurance

This is a common type of appliance failure, and your job in the moment is simply to remove the heat source and reduce risk — not to “fix” it. Once the supply is isolated and the area is clear, you’ve already done the most important safety steps.

Scope note

These are first steps to stabilise the situation and prevent harm. A professional may need to test the cooker and (if relevant) the gas supply before it’s used again.

Important note

This guide is general information for immediate safety steps, not professional advice. If you think there is any immediate danger (fire, heavy smoke, strong gas smell, symptoms of gas exposure), prioritise leaving to safety and contacting emergency services.

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